Starting Tractors in Cold Weather

Or put a 236 engine in it.

The MF265 will start on the first turn, the MF290 will swing over in the depts of Summer

Misread your post Fintan

Definitely a lazy starter in the 4255. Them Perkins Phaser engines are instant starters. I have a 4300 series with its original starter on it and it starts first turn in any weather.

Maybe, but I have older ones without issues too. You could get it tested.

Change it anyway. Even if they work they often warp from heating and leak diesel past causing over use.

Not sure you’re right there. If you put paper sacks around an outdoor tap it generally doesn’t freeze?? Would the coat not stop the hardest of the frost getting at the engine? Water vessel in pumphouse doesn’t freeze if it’s covered up.

sorry, this was in reply to coats doing nothing for engines

No its not. Batteries fail in cold weather since their inception. Goes with everything from torches to phones.

I work a blow torch on my jcb the last few days. Even tho I put a new high speed starter and battery in it last year. Heat the air intakes.

………

What would be considered the rolls Royce of tractor batteries out of interest?

Not necessarily most expensive or best known brand mind....the consensus on the best of there is such a thing

Had problems with a JD 6210 being hard to start if it was anyway cold weather, like I'm talkin from 5 or 6 degrees down. Messed around for years with changing batteries, new battery, new bigger battery, reconditioned starter, new hi-speed starter (helped a tiny bit), fuel pump and new heater plug.... plus a worn out set of jump leads.

Anyway about a year ago engine started to miss a bit just after starting and I had new injectors put in . Tractor has started like a dream ever since. I know there can be loads of reasons an engine can be hard started but if injectors aren't giving that proper fine vapour like spray of fuel, surely it contributes.

Even just cleaning the battery terminals and topping with water makes a difference

Hi em no I wasn't replying to anyone 😊just popped in my sixpence I would totally agree on of theres a known fault just fix it also I've found geared starters a god send. But for the problems that crop up immediately without warning everyone else is giving excellent advice 👌 👏 and I can't see someone not getting going in the short-term after reading this thread

Not an expert by any means,

I think ferguson blocks were very difficult to weld, at least years ago but maybe modern methods are better.

You could try adding a can of K Seal to the coolant/water. It's for repair leaking radiators but might work.

I have recommended using it on here before but was shot down by the 'experts' saying it causes blocked radiators and overheating issues. This from my experience is utter nonsense if used according to the recommendations.

I remember a battery supplier telling me of a customer who was buying a battery every six months from him over a two to three period. When the supplier realised this he found out why this was the case. The customer lived in the town suburbs and all her trips were of very short journeys - one or two miles at time eg to mass, local shops, social events ,funerals.. What was happening was that the battery was not being charged enough by the alternator to replace the energy used to start the car, run the lights , heater, , AC , wipers, etc. hence the battery is constantly being run down on each trip

I assume that the same applies to any battery. I can see a tractor in places being used for 5 min per day to place one round bale in a circular feeder. I wonder is there anyone out there that knows how long a particular tractor would need to be running for to replace the energy used to start it?

Have a quick one for ye if anyone has any idea. I have a case international and over the last couple of weeks it’s been hard to start, (new battery gone into it, and it’s been serviced so new oil and diesel filters etc etc) and the last few days it’s losing power when changing gear to the point of nearly cutting out when you go from 1st to 2nd. And now the last two days I can’t get it to start at all. Is this a wiring problem would you think or something gone in the accelerator? I didn’t think it was anything to do with the starter or alternator

Not sure if there’s one at the bottom of the tank, but the two diesel filters at the side of the engine were changed about 6 weeks ago

It does sound like a fuel delivery issue, something not tightened after service or dirt somewhere. Could be small gauze filters at tank, injector pump and/or lift pump.

The alternator has been gone in my tractor for a few weeks now. I keep the battery charged up every few days. I went at it yesterday with the meter and no voltage rise when I started it. Checked the connections at the alternator and one of the wires just fell away.

Glad I went checking it now, rather than just whipping it off.